Described as “part festival, part exhibits but all fun” the upcoming Cottagefest Show is an indoor celebration of everything we love about heading north to our great Canadian cottage country. The Grand Opening is this Friday, March 10 at 1 pm at the Ancaster Fairground’s newly opened beautiful Ancaster Event Centre.And there are free door crasher gifts too. The festival runs for 3 days March 10 to 12 and show hours are Fri. 1 pm to 8 pm, Sat. 10 am to 6 pm, and Sun. 11 am to 5 pm. (On Saturday everyone is encouraged to wear plaid to show support for the Cottagefest “Plaid For Dad Saturday” to raise awareness and funds for the Canadian Cancer Society’s prostate cancer research.)
You don’t have to own a cottage to enjoy Cottagefest. Sponsored by Muskoka Brewery the event features live bands, chainsaw log carving by Kennedy Carvings, complimentary axe throwing by Upper Canada Axe Throwing, food trucks, catering by Pub Fiction, Canadian Raptor Conservancy’s live birds of prey, HGTV’s Paul Lafrance “The Deck Guy” on Saturday, live woodturners, Confederation Marine Modellers, free cottage building related seminars by Lakeside Architecture Inc. and much more.
Located at the entrance be sure to enter the Cottagefest Contest for a chance to win a Weber Genesis EX-325 smart gas barbeque from Muskoka BBQ & Outdoor Kitchen Centre. Other prizes include a Muskoka Brewery Dockside Party Package, Kawartha Dairy $100. gift card and a Weber Burgers $100 gift card.
Cottage country is coming to the city and features great exhibitors and displays including Trailerworld’s Princecraft pontoon boats, cottage builders like Discovery Dream Homes, Muskoka BBQ & Outdoor Kitchen Center, architects and renovators, log home wood restorers, routered signs, kitchen designers, Cambridge Nostalgia cottage antiques, decking experts, craftsmen, cottages security, Telus, Poynt360 by Shaw, internet providers, Summer Accents huge deck umbrellas, barbeques, pizza ovens, roofers, cottagerental.com, realtors, insurance, vacation destinations, Mosquito Buzz, eavestrough filters, replacement windows, Garage King flooring, a Cottage Crafters Marketplace, Incinerating Toilets, and even dock shade by Aquadome.
Live on the Cottagefest Music Stage enjoy several well know bands including The Dirty Pioneers – Southern Ontario’s premium party band all 3 days, and each morning features up and coming song writer/musician Leah Holtom. Friday night and late afternoon Saturday local singer, songwriter and award winning recording artist Caroline Wiles & Band entertain with songs from some of their five albums.
Other featured exhibitors include Timberlite barn beams, Beautiful Floors, Weeds B’ Gone, Omni basement foundation repairs, financial experts, large storage containers, photographers, Jelly Labels & Cottagefest shirts,
And there is lots to shop for and buy at Cottagefest as well. It features local honey products, imported meats and cheeses by Superior Meats, Organic Chef foods, curries by Eastern Blue, Sizzle Sauces, delicious food by Ancaster’s own Pub Ficton.RestoBar, as well the Twisted Tomato & other food trucks out front. There is even casual jewelery, cottage lounging clothing, the Jewel Tree, Qwick Wick Fire Starters, natural skincare products, Knitting Boutique, Lampe Berger, Springwater Natural fragrant soaps, ebikes by Solorock Sports and even live-edge one of a kind furniture by Golden Lake Rustic.
Cottagefest is sponsored by Muskoka Brewery and media partners include CHCH TV, Bell Media, Bounce Radio, Move Radio, The Hamilton Spectator, Muskoka411, Barrie 411,Toronto Star, Metroland Media newspapers, CHFI, City News, Zoomer Radio and Classical 96.3FM.
The Cottagefest Show is running at new Ancaster Event Centre building at the Ancaster Fairgrounds (630 Trinity Rd. at Hwy., March 10 to 12.. Companies interested in exhibiting can contact Jenkins Show Productions at 1-800-465-1073. Admission is $12 single or two for $20. at the door! Tickets can be purchased in advance at Cottagefest.com. Show hours are: Friday 1 pm to 8 pm, Saturday 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday 11 am to 5 pm. There is lots of FREE parking too!
